The Memphremagog Watershed is located on the Vermont – Quebec border, encompassing a total area of 687 square miles; 489 square miles (71%) are in Vermont and 198 square miles (29%) are in the Province of Quebec, Canada. However, more than 75% of Lake Memphremagog is in Quebec.

What is a watershed?  A watershed is an area of land that channels all precipitation, from the hills and mountains, forest and fields, draining it down to the streams, rivers and lakes.

How does a watershed function? The plants and soils in a watershed slow and filter the rain and snow melt, recharging groundwater and improving  water quality as pollutants and excessive nutrients are removed. 

Why should we protect watersheds? In a healthy watershed, the ground is porous allowing rainwater to soak into the aquifer. Wetlands and ponds store water and provide habitat for wildlife. Potential damages from stormwater runoff, erosion and flooding are reduced. A healthy watershed supplies clean water, and contributes to a resilient ecosystem.

The Memphremagog Watershed extends east to Brighton, south to Craftsbury, west to Lowell and north into Canada and includes over 20 lakes and ponds. The four major Vermont rivers that feed into Lake Memphremagog include the Clyde, Black, Barton and Johns. The Canadian Rivers are the Fitch, Cherry and Castle.

The lake flows north from Vermont into Quebec, draining down the Magog River, to the St. Francis River and ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean. This beautiful landscape, formed approximately 11,000 years ago as a glacial ice sheet melted and receded northward creating the watershed  –  the mountains and hills, the streams and rivers, the many lakes and ponds.

The Memphremagog Watershed has a rich history and ecology with  significant forests, wetlands, floodplains and swamps. 

Great-Blue-Heron-April-

In Abenaki, Mamhlawbagok or Memphremagog means large expanse or wide water. This freshwater glacial lake and surrounding lands were used and respected for thousands of years by the Abenaki. The Abenaki tribe continues to advocate for these lands today.

It wasn’t until 1793 that Europeans settled here.

In the watershed today – a home for thousands of people –  the impermeable infrastructure and development  to support homes, tourism, recreation, logging, and farming, has contributed to problems with stormwater management, stream bank erosion and wetland impairment. In turn, these issues contribute to – loss of habitat,  invasive species, flooding and excessive nutrient load and water impurity.

Due to elevated nutrient levels Memphremagog is considered an “impaired lake” meaning it does not meet State of Vermont water quality standards. Many Canadian municipalities source their drinking water from lake Memphremagog. The solutions to improve  water quality require – remediation and restoration projects, updated and implemented best practices, continued research and monitoring. These programs require responsible involvement and  education for all of us living, working and enjoying this watershed.

How You Can Help

  • If you live near a river or lake, establish a buffer of vegetation. This helps keep nutrients out of the water
  • Fertilize at most once a year with phosphorus free fertilizers to help prevent algae blooms
  • Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides
  • Reduce the size of your lawn
  • Maintain your septic system
  • Control run off
  • Clean up after your pets
  • Do not flush medications
  • Wash your car on the lawn not pavement
  • When you transport your boat follow, the guidelines for Clean Drain and Dry before entering another body of water
  • Support MWA

Be the Solution